The Brave Dragon

In the heart of the Marach Mountains lies a place where the peaks touch the sky and the air is filled with magic. This is the Realm of Dragons, home to majestic creatures with shimmering scales and powerful wings that allow them to soar through the skies like living comets.

Among them lives Draco, a young red dragon known for his adventurous spirit and reckless behavior, traits that often get him into trouble.

- Look at this! – he said once as he dove toward a group of young dragons.

- Draco! – complained a blue dragoness -. You almost knocked us down!

- I’m just practicing my maneuvers – he replied proudly -. Someday I’ll be the fastest dragon to soar through the skies. If I knock you down, it’s because you’re too slow.

Because of his rough way of playing and his egotistical attitude, many young dragons avoided hanging out with him. Draco always wanted to win, always pushed the limits, and always wanted to prove he was superior to the others.

For their part, the adult dragons scolded Draco for getting distracted during lessons and being reckless, putting himself and others in dangerous situations.

- Courage without caution is a danger – an adult green dragon would repeat to the young ones.

But Draco didn’t pay any attention.

One day, Draco decided to skip his lessons and enjoy an afternoon of flying in the mountains. Suddenly, a tremor shook the realm. The young dragon watched from afar as the light that had shone long before he was born began to fade. It was as if a star had been swallowed by darkness. Intrigued, Draco set out to investigate.

The evil wizard Malroc had managed to infiltrate the Realm of Dragons and steal the Orb of Light, a powerful relic that releases magical energy and protects the realms from Darkness. Many millennia ago, the old alliance, formed by the leaders of the great magical realms: Kormak, King of the Light Elves; Alviss, King of the Duergar; and Oberon and Titania, Kings of the Fairies, entrusted Ammon the Golden and his mighty dragons with the custody of the Orb of Light and established the Pax Lucis, which brought an end to the Age of Calamity.

Draco take advantage of his small size to eavesdrop on the conversation of the adult dragons gathered outside the Orb’s temple. Ammon the Golden, the oldest living dragon, presides over the emergency meeting. His elderly body glows with a soft golden light, and his expression betrays his concern.

While their wounds are being treated, the pair of dragons guarding the Orb explain that they were taken by surprise by Malroc.

- The wizard appeared out of nowhere in the temple - says a black dragon -. By the time we detected his magical signature, it was too late.

- We’re so sorry - adds a burly copper dragon -. We couldn’t do anything to counter his spells, and he easily overpowered us.

The news of the Orb’s theft at the hands of the wizard sparks murmurs of horror. Some dragons roar furiously.

- Let’s go find him! – shouts a white dragon.

- Yes! Let’s burn his lair! – adds a red dragon.

- Let him feel the wrath of the dragons! - adds a silver dragon.

Ammon raises his head as he senses tempers flaring.

- SILENCE! - the old dragon’s voice booms like thunder -. I will not allow any action that threatens the peace of the realms.

The dragons stop arguing and submit to their leader’s authority.

- I will contact the leaders of the realms; together we will find a solution to this crisis - Ammon states in a calm tone -. Until then, I ask that you be patient.

From his hiding place, Draco watches, his heart pounding. The young dragon realizes it has been a long time since Ammon used his Voice of Authority. Given his advanced age, Ammon has not considered passing the leadership to another dragon, and no dragon has been able to subdue him with his Voice.

Despite the old dragon’s words, Draco cannot sit still. Waiting is not exciting.

- If I recover the Orb… - Draco’s ego speaks from within him - everyone will have to acknowledge how awesome I am.

Without weighing the risk of his actions and blinded by his ego, the young dragon decides to travel through the realms and recover the Orb of Light, convinced that accomplishing the feat will bring him fame. Draco spreads his wings and heads into the unknown, beyond the borders of the Realm of Dragons, in search of Malroc’s hideout.